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Home » ColumnsBungalow bungling: Abuse of power by Sabaragamuwa PC’s former members
When it comes to abusing or using State resources for personal or their cronies’ use against the regulations, there seems to be no party differences or any conflict at all among politicians since those State properties are maintained at the expense of public taxpayers’ funds contributed to by the citizens. It was evident when an [...]
Improvements in the economy and continuing challenges ahead
There are both favourable developments in the economy, as well as uncertainties, risks and threats to be overcome for economic recovery and revival. Improvements The improvements in the economy are mainly due to a positive outlook in the country’s balance of payments and the increased external reserves. At present, the foreign reserves are in the [...]
Yet another colossal farce – or dare we hope for a difference?
It is only in singularly paradoxical Sri Lanka that Parliament can proudly announce its ‘unanimous’ passing of the country’s newest anti-corruption law while blithely counting in its ranks, a gold-smuggling parliamentarian and others on both sides of the political divide in regard to whom multiple allegations of gross corruption have vanished miraculously into thin air. [...]
SJB prescribes no-faith surgery to remove Health Ministry canker; Keheliya says ‘bring it on’
By Sandun Jayawardana A beleaguered Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella faced growing calls to resign from opposition parliamentarians this week over the worsening crisis in the state health sector. On Friday, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) handed over a motion signed by 45 MPs to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, expressing their no-confidence in the minister. The [...]
Controversy is nothing new to you
My dear Keheliya, I thought I must write to you this week because you are, as they say, the ‘man of the moment’. It maybe that Uncle Ranil is celebrating one year of being in office but there is hardly any mention of that in the media. Instead, you are in the news and hogging [...]
Is the State continuing to fail the poor and vulnerable?
Several media reports last week focussed on Sachini Perera, holder of the national record in Pole Vaulting and known in sports circles as the “Vaulting Queen” being compelled to work as a housemaid in Dubai. The 24-year-old who has ambitions of making her mark on the international scene has been forced by circumstances to put [...]
Health crisis deepens: Why Rambukwella shoud resign
Opposition to bring no-confidence motion to force him out Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stands in the dock today, on public trial for making a pig’s breakfast of the nation’s health service. He is charged with reducing Lanka’s medical sector to a shamble, and leaving in its dust, the ashes of a people’s trust and confidence [...]
That callous comment of a health ministry official
Immediately after leaving university at Peradeniya in 1962, I joined the Observer newspaper published by Lake House, the premier publishing house of the day. It was at the invitation of the then editor of the Observer Denzil Peiris who had been on a head-hunting visit to the Peradeniya campus. The Observer, the oldest English language [...]
SLPP in crisis while President strengthens his position
Sagara Kariyawasam fires first salvo at Ranil over 13A; but Basil losing significant support within party Lanza to form independent group, claims the backing of 40 MPs and ex-President Gotabaya’s private secretary Sugeeswara Bandara Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Bill passed with retrospective effect, but controversy over new PSC to probe Election Commission By Our Political Editor [...]
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